Original ArticleComputerized Working Memory Training Improves Function in Adolescents Born at Extremely Low Birth Weight
Section snippets
Methods
Eligible for participation in this study were preterm adolescents born at ELBW, and term-born adolescents with normal birth weight born in 1992 to 1993, aged 14 to 16 years. Both groups used a computerized program intended to improve their working memory at home for 30 to 40 minutes daily, 5 days a week for 5 weeks. Neuropsychological assessments were performed before intervention, within 1 week after intervention, and at a 6-month follow-up visit. To assess the practice effect on the working
Results
At follow-up, there was no significant difference between subjects in the ELBW and control groups in mean age (ELBW: 14.1 years; SD: 0.6; Control: 14.3 years; SD: 0.7; P = .385) or in mean SES (ELBW: 2.8; SD: 1.2; Controls: 3.5; SD: 1.1; P = .082).
Discussion
Our main finding was that a group of ELBW children improved trained and non-trained working memory results after participation in the computerized Cogmed RM training program. Second, ELBW individuals with low IQ (<80) benefited significantly from the training, and third, the program was as effective in improving working memory in ELBW preterm children as in the control group. In addition, the program had a generalizing effect on verbal learning in the ELBW group, which is of major importance
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Funded by The Research Council of Norway (NevroNor), Norwegian University of Science and Technology, and the South-Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority. The Cogmed RM was purchased from the Cogmed Cognitive Medical Systems AB in Stockholm by our research group and given to each of the participants for free. The authors declare no conflicts of interest.